In 1863, West Virginia was created a state from Virginia. Earlier in 1853, Virginia passed a law requiring counties to record births although not all counties complied or continued to record them on a consistent basis. Statewide registration of births began in 1917. From 1853-1879, about 15% of the births were recorded; from 1880-1920, coverage increased to about 65%. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in [[User:Mcbridelw/Sandbox 5|other records]].

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For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

| width="65%" | West Virginia Division of Culture and History; '''free;''' most counties go to 1930: [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx list of county coverage (right side of the screen)]; collection also contains delayed birth records

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| ''Try 2nd:''

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| {{RecordSearch|1417341|West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930}}

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| FamilySearch; '''Free;''' not all counties are complete to 1930: [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx list of county coverage (right side of the screen)]; collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the [[User:Batsondl/Sandbox Strategy 3#Obtain_the_Certificate|West Virginia Vital Registration office]].

| width="65%" | West Virginia Virginia Division of Culture and History - '''Free''';&nbsp; most counties go to 1930: [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx list of county coverage (right side of the screen)]; collection also contains delayed birth records

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| ''Try 2nd:''

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| {{RecordSearch|1417341|West Virginia, Births, 1853-1930}}<br>

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| FamilySearch - '''Free'''; not all counties are complete to 1930: [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx list of county coverage (right side of the screen)]; collection also contains delayed birth records; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image<br>

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the [http://vitalrec.com/wv.html#County county of birth] or the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health office]. <br>

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'''If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:'''<br> For a fee, the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health office] will do a 3 year search. <br>

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<br> '''''Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:'''''<br> To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

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:*The person on the certificate

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:*The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate

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:*The wife or husband of the person on the certificate

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:*The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate

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:*The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate

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:*Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

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::'''NOTE:''' A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

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'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are [[User:Mcbridelw/Sandbox 5|other records with birth information]] you can search.<br>''' <br>

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the [[User:Batsondl/Sandbox Strategy 3#Obtain_the_Certificate|West Virginia Vital Registration office]].

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the [http://vitalrec.com/wv.html#County county of birth] or the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health office]. <br>

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'''If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:'''<br> For a fee, the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health office] will do a 3 year search. <br>

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<br> '''''Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:'''''<br> To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

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+

:*The person on the certificate

+

:*The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate

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:*The wife or husband of the person on the certificate

+

:*The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate

+

:*The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate

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:*Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

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::'''NOTE:''' A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

+

+

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are [[User:Mcbridelw/Sandbox 5|other records with birth information]] you can search.<br>''' <br>

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the [http://vitalrec.com/wv.html#County county of birth] or the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health office]. <br>

+

+

'''If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:'''<br> For a fee, the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health office] will do a 3 year search. <br>

+

+

'''''Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:'''''<br> To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

+

+

:*The person on the certificate

+

:*The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate

+

:*The wife or husband of the person on the certificate

+

:*The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate

+

:*The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate

+

:*Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

+

::'''NOTE:''' A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

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+

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are [[User:Mcbridelw/Sandbox 5|other records with birth information]] you can search.<br>'''

Births from 1853 thru 1912

In 1863, West Virginia was created a state from Virginia. Earlier in 1853, Virginia passed a law requiring counties to record births although not all counties complied or continued to record them on a consistent basis. Statewide registration of births began in 1917. From 1853-1879, about 15% of the births were recorded; from 1880-1920, coverage increased to about 65%. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Births from 1913 thru 1930

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the West Virginia Vital Registration office.

Births from 1931 thru 1969

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the West Virginia Vital Registration office.